Fused harmony

16.

February 9th 2023

(Y/N) had been back on schedule for a few days, it was a slow process, but the pains from the gym had finally stopped and he was able to speak a few sentences comfortably in Korean. His foundational dance skills were improving too but that wasn't too exciting in his eyes.

He had been working harder than he had ever worked before to perfect the album, as well as his own personal little side projects, which for the time being were being kept tightly under wraps due to uncertainty on wether or not they would actually be released. But after his time with Rachel yesterday, (Y/N) felt a little more comfortable about the whole idea. He had to admit he was still very much on edge though, so to play it safe, headphones had been kept on for the start of the day unless someone needed to speak to him, something that people had begun to notice around the building.

Meanwhile

Rachel, Claire and Mr Park all sat in a conference room. Mr park opening the conversation which by the looks on everyones faces, wasn't good.

"Claire, have you told (Y/N) about your contract with us ending by March 1st?"

Rachel looked at her, clearly unaware of this ever happening, to which Claire looked down with a sad expression before addressing her boss.

"Not yet. I haven't had a chance to..."

Rachel, who had hoped she had misheard looked shocked, it made sense now though. Why she was being made to shadow Miss (Y/L/N). It was so that when she left, their current projects would be able to continue without any hiccups.

"I still believe Rachel will be a great replacement for my position."

Claire couldn't make eye contact with the girl opposite her, shame crawling under her skin like a parasite. She had dragged her son to an unknown place, away from everything he knew and was leaving him there to fend for himself. But the more Rachel thought about it. The more it all made sense. Why Claire was so insistent on (Y/N) building a strong support network. Why she was making sure he had people around him. All of it in preparation for when she wouldn't be. She had to credit that much to her. But still.

"So what. You're just leaving him here?"

Claire clutched at the hem of her blazer, unable to respond to Rachel. Mr Park tried to interject.

"Rachel please. It isn't that simple and you know i-"

"Bullshit!"

The two older adults looked taken aback.

"You had weeks before you even came to tell him. You've had weeks whilst you've been here to tell him. He's at his most vulnerable and you're just going to up and leave?"

Claire, starting to get uncomfortable spoke up. Her voice, solemn clearly she was upset. Ashamed. But there was something else.

"It's not that simple, you don't... you don't understand."

Rachel was fuming.

"Then make me understand. Enlighten us."

Claire began to talk, hesitating as she contemplated what to say, opening her mouth to speak before fastening her lips over and over until.

"(Y/N) kept a journal. He used to work at a restaurant, and after every paycheque, he would take note of a saved amount."

She bit her lip as she explained her reasoning.

"After a while, the amount saved was alarming. He never spent any of it. It was constantly increasing month by month. Until eventually I found it. He wouldn't explain why he was saving so much. And I had no right to pry."